Back To School: 3 Things You Need To Do

1. School Organization is Important for a Successful Year

Summer is drawing to a close and before long leaves will be falling from the trees. Labor day is less than two weeks away and here in Virginia, that means school starts the Tuesday after the holiday. Your family has a good deal of organization to do to be ready for the first day of school.

Go through the kids’ closets and drawers to remove clothing that no longer fits. If the clothes are in good condition, donate them or hand them down. Now that there is room in the closets, you will be able to determine what you need to replace.

The kids need a designated area for homework. Take some time before they go back to school to make a quiet, organized space for homework.

Make sure school supplies are handy. A cleaning caddy is a great place to put things like notebooks, rulers, pencils, markers, glue sticks etc. Doing school organization early makes for an easier transition from Summer.

2. Back to School Shopping Trips

You will need at least two shopping trips to get ready for school.

One trip will be to replace clothes that were worn out or outgrown. This was always my favorite back to school activity!

The other shopping trip will be to gather school supplies for the upcoming year. Many office supply stores and big discount stores have lists available from local schools. These advise what exact supplies will be needed for each grade.

Make sure each child has a backpack large enough to carry all the supplies that she must carry back and forth to school.

Check out the school bus schedule and let the kids know where their stop is and what time to be there. If your children are young, you may be walking with them to the bus stop.

3. Once School Starts

Once school starts, check their backpack when they get home from school to find any notes from the teacher and homework assignments.

Be there when they are doing homework so you can offer help when needed… if possible! (This new math is crazy!)

Find some fun ideas or treats to include in their lunch box. Something small can make a big difference in your child’s day!